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September 21st through 27th

Nights were cool enough to continue the forest's rush to color, but last week included a small taste of Summer as temperatures limped up to the mid 70s°F and the lake temperature held at refreshing. The trees around Lucerne started the week at about half way to peak. There were rumors drifting around the North end of the lake that Mrs Nemo's sunflowers would not fully open before being frosted out. By mid-week the giant blooms were in full yellowness. The tree color at mid-week pushed past 50%. By the end of the week, the trees were close, if not already at, peak color. When the sky was clear, the post equinox sunlight had enough warmth in it to give the lake a June-ish feel. The flat water and the flat water (I say it twice because the lake was really really flat) called more than a few to grasp handle and call "go boat".. Just before the weekend, the lake temperature pushed close to 65°F. The less cold water pushed many to ski even when the lake wasn't so flat. The sky eventually clouded up above flocks of geese. There was lightning. There was thunder. There was a 2 AM 10 minute power outage. We ended up with 4 times the amount of rain that was predicted. The yard puddles were back. One tried to eat a large dump truck. Another truck and a chain managed to rescue it, but it was a close thing. The rain greened up lawns and dabbed more color on the trees around Lake Metonga and the city of Crandon. It also mudded up the track for the races on the weekend. The temperature was down from mid-week and the crowds were lighter than normal, but trucks were fast and the cotton candy was plentiful. The NCC golf course is in great shape and, with the warmer temperatures, had to be played. Many of the trees lining the holes were nothing short of spectacular. Calling peak color is more art than science. Many of the deciduous trees are still showing some green, but by the time those leaves change, many other trees will have no leaves at all. Peak color came about a week early this year. This could be due to cooler than normal post Labor Day weather, a dry-ish period before that last rain, or last week's dump truck sucking deluge. Whatever the reason, the northwoods are currently full of the sights, sounds, and smells of fall.<br><br>-Nemo skied, kneeboarded, birdied 4, and triple bogeyed 9.

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